Fish-spear.



No. 746,455. PATENTED DEC. 8, 1903.

A. J. CAMPBELL.

. FISH SPEAR.

APPLICATION I ILED AUG. 3, 1903 Lilo. 746,455.

UNITED STATES Patented December 8, 31903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FlSH-SPEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,455, dated December 8, 1903.

Application filed August 3, 1903. SerialNo. 168,104. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Luray, in the county of Page andState of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fish-Spears, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to spears specially intended for catching fish, but equally adapted for catching animals by impaling them therewith.

It consists of a staff or pole having supporting means at one end for two pivoted hooks, which are held closed under tension, and pe: culiar trigger means whereby the pivoted hooks are held open adapted for use and which operates to release them, all as will hereinafter be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the novel features thereof be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevated view showing my improved fish-spear with the jaws set ready for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the jaws closed to impaling position. Fig. 3 is a detail plan opposite to the side shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a detail zige view in illustration of the jaw members,

0. parts detached.

In practicing my invention I employ astaff or red A, having a ferrule A at one end. In

the forward end of the ferrule A, I provide a socket A and at or near the forward end of the ferrule I fixedly secure a loop A The ferrule is recessed on opposite sides, as at A for the purpose as will appear farther on.

B B indicate jaw members constructed with forward inwardly-curved hook-like ends B and rear diverging arms B The jaw members B are connected together between their ends by a suitable projecting pivot B and have at theirinner ends lugs B adapted when they are set for use to enter the recesses A in the ferrule A;

0 indicates a suitable spring, which may or may not be secured to the projecting pivot B having its ends 0 bent or otherwise formed, adapted for engagement with slugs B in the arms B D indicates a suitable shank fixed to the Fig. 5 is a view showing the several pivot B and adapted to enter the socket A in the forward end of the ferrule A.

E indicates an adjustable arm having support in the loop A on the ferrule A. The inner end of the arm E is fixed to acollarE, having sliding movement on the ferrule A, and its forward end provided with laterallydisposed arms E The collar E is constructed with pockets E adapted to receive the inner ends of the arms B when the jaws B are set for use and hold them set, as will be understood. The arm E, in connection with its lateral arms E provides support for the jaw members in addition to tripping means therefor.

In further carrying out my invention I utilize a suitable line F, having one end secured to the jaw members at their pivot connection, as shown, or other desired place. The other end of the line F may or may not be secured to the inner or hand end of the staff A. Ohviously a fishing-reel (not shown) may be employed for winding up the line F, if desired.

In the use of my improved fishing --spear the jaw members are set by pressing the arms B together against tension of the spring 0.

The shank D is then arranged in the socket A and the lugs B on the arms B placed in the recesses A on the ferrule A. In this position of the parts, with the forward or curved ends "of the jaw members resting on the arms E of the tripper-slide E, the collar is slid forward into position, with the rear ends of the arms B entering the pockets E The collar E being adjusted to position, with its pock- I ets E receiving the rear end B of the jaw member B, as stated, the spear will be set ready for use. Now it is apparent that upon contact of the forward end of the tripperarm E or its lateral arms E with a fish or animal the collar E will be forced back, disengaging its pockets from holding engagement with the arms B The latter being thereby freed, obviously thespringO will operate to close the curved ends B of the jaw members, impaling the fishlor animal, as by gripping action.

When the jaw members are released, as above described, the shank D is free to be drawn from the socket A byefiort of the fish or animal to get away. Now obviously the staff or pole may be reversed end for end and be used as a fishing-pole, reeling in or out he line, if a reel is used, until the fish or animal is landed or secured, as the case maybe.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fishing-spear employing a staff, pivoted impaling jaw members held set under tension, means whereby the jaw members are secured to the staff, automatic means whereby the jaw members are disengaged from the staif, and a line having one end secured to the jaw members, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a fishing-spear, of a stalf having a socket in one end, jaw members pivoted together and adapted to be forced to impaling or closed position, ashank on the said jaw members adapted to enter the said socket in the end of the staff, a tripper-arm having forward laterally-disposed arms and a rear collar with pockets, and a line having one end secured to the jaw members,

on the forward end of the staff, substantially as described.

3. The combination with astaff of the character described, having a socket in its forward end and recesses in its sides, of jaw members pivoted together and adapted to be forced to impaling or closed position, lugs on the jaw members adapted to enter the said recesses in the staff, a tripper-arm having forward laterally-disposed arms and a rear collar with pockets adapted to receive the rear ends of the jaw members when set, and a line having one end secured to thejaw members, substantially as described.

4. The combination in a fishing-spear of the character described,of impalingjaw members and a suitable staff, the jaw members being adapted for disconnection from the staff and having connected therewith one end of a line, substantially as described.

ANDREW J. CAMPBELL.

Witnesses:

S. F. SPILMAN, G. Y. CHAPMAN. 

